During the recent economic downturn, many glassmakers stayed the course with their investments in value-added products, particularly those that boost energy efficiency. And as the markets improve, those investments will prove critical, they say.

ROAD TO GLASSBUILD
Innovation from all over the world is on display yearly at GlassBuild America. In this week's edition of the Road to GlassBuild, we profile a company from the United Kingdom with a product that adds style and color to the traditional window product.

I expected to network and learn more about fabrication equipment at GPAD. And I did. But, when I found myself walking with GPAD sponsors and attendees down the middle of Canal Street in a police-escorted jazz band parade headed to the Creole Queen riverboat, I quickly―and happily―adjusted my expectations.

At BEC, I am happy to say, the positive nature of attendees' body language and comments was clearly real. While not everyone in our industry is rolling along yet, and we know we have some sore spots, I think we are finally, really, headed in the right direction.

Security Lock Distributors launched SecuritySearch, a web application that digitally aggregates all industry price books and catalogs for door hardware into one centralized platform. SecuritySearch also includes embedded functionality features to allow customers to specify and source door security hardware and accessories more efficiently.

The General Services Administration, the federal government’s largest real estate manager, renovated its Washington, D.C. headquarters as part of its Smart Building Initiative to incorporate new sustainable technologies in some of the government’s most energy intensive buildings. Part of the historic building's large open courtyard now features a seven-story addition, including a six-story south facing atrium with a dynamic glass skylight. Read more...